Dad is Easy… Father is Hard

Well we’re about to go into another weekend of great services at Evangel Church and I think that for the first time, I’m not specifically having a Father’s Day emphasis in my message.

Okay, before you all come at me with your brand-new ties that you’ll never wear again and your bbq utensils, I have good reason. We are wrapping up our current series on “Within These Four Walls” and we are taking a look at how God looks at us as the Bride and He is the Bridegroom… so there will be plenty to correlate with Father’s Day…

That said, I thought I would just make this observation… from what I have found out in Health class, the Discovery Channel, and sitting reading magazines waiting for the doctor, the act of becoming a dad is fairly easy. Actually, some would say that it’s pretty close to the real thing… us men start something and then let someone else finish the job.

Well what I would like to challenge tonight is the fact that being a ‘father’ to children is SO much harder than just being a dad. It’s not just about starting something, it’s about being there every step of the way… from beginning to end. Fathering is making today make tomorrow better… read that again. Fathering is making ‘today’ make ‘tomorrow’ better. What I mean is the act of fathering is ‘investing’ in your children so that they will be better because of you… not in spite of you.

Maybe you’re disconnected from your kids… Maybe it’s been a while since you said “hi”, “how are you doing”, or “I love you.” I never said that it would be easy. Actually, my whole point is that it’s NOT… but think of what OUR Father did to tell us that He loved us… it wasn’t easy… but it sure made a difference!!!

At least that’s how I see it.

C

 

God’s Marriage Proposal

I know, it’s Christmastime and Boxing Day sales are creeping up even ‘before’ Christmas!!!

Some people ask me how come God had to come as a baby. Why did He need to do something as drastic as that? Well, I guess I could try to explain it this way:

I love my wife… terribly. I remember how much I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I hardly had any money but I got a ring and asked her to marry me… and she said “Yes!”

Would she have said yes if I sent a messenger? Or maybe in a letter? Would she have jumped for joy if I had sent her an email or text message? Probably not. It was SO important to me that ‘I’ needed to do it!

John 3:16 says that “God so loved the world the He sent His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” That’s how much God loves us and that’s why He sent Jesus… No other way could He express His love for us but to come and tell us Himself… through Jesus.

At least that’s how I see it,

Craig

 

Stop The Traffic!

I’ve done some pretty dumb things as a kid… tried to jump over a ditch with my bike forgetting that front wheel was not attached properly… got my tongue stuck to a metal pole in the winter (yes… I had to find out for myself). I think one of the dumbest things I ever did was decide to become a toll-booth on my street with a big long stick telling people to stop… and go. When my dad saw me doing it… I stopped… and I ‘go’ed!

But my dad hardly remembers that moment. He disciplined me and was upset… but he loved me more than he was mad about what I did. It was his love that I remember that day… even though I DO remember the discipline.

Psalm 25:6-7 says “Overlook my youthful sins, O Lord! Look at me instead through eyes of mercy and forgiveness, through eyes of everlasting love and kindness (NLT).” Some people think that their past prohibits God from forgiving them. Nothing could be further from the truth. His love is everlasting. His forgiveness is always available.

At least that’s how I see it,

Craig